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Woodland Logistics has placed two of its largest ever contracts with Hireco after being impressed with the firm’s flexibility and customer service.

The logistics firm, which specialises in packaging and building materials, has sealed a deal with Hireco for 25 curtainsiders and six flatbeds, as well as multiple trailers on rental terms.

Hireco will also provide Woodland with a full management package which includes both maintenance and tyre provision.

Chelmsford-based Woodland Logistics is part of international logistics firm Woodland Group. Woodland Logistics runs more than 270 assets, ranging from small vans through to HGVs and operates 11 depots across the UK. Major customers include Cepac, Naylor Industries and Millbank Concrete Products.

The company saw demand for the delivery of packaging products and toilet rolls soar during the height of the pandemic which helped offset the closure of the construction industry during the first lockdown – a sector which Woodland Logistics MD Sean Kirby said has rebounded in the last few months.

Kirby said 2020 “has been one of the toughest years in my time in logistics, especially with the new challenges of managing a work force now based at home as well as managing a fleet of vehicles and drivers.”

He added: “The challenges posed in the early part of 2020 made it clear that we needed a business to partner with that was flexible and could move and adapt with us quickly. We had no doubt that Hireco was the right partner.”

Chris Heather, Hireco sales manager said: “We’re a privately owned company that is able to make fast decisions and that, combined with the flexibility we can deliver, was a key part of being able to expand our business with Woodland.”

Heather added that the relationship with Woodland had grown from originally providing three trailers in 2016. “We don’t just provide the assets, we provide a full customer service experience and we are delighted to be given the opportunity to expand the relationship with these new contracts.”